The Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service is preparing to roll out a nationwide digital system aimed at improving enforcement of road traffic laws and enhancing road safety across the country.
The system, known as Traffitech-GH, is an automated enforcement platform developed through collaboration between the National Road Safety Authority, the Ministry of Transport (Ghana), and the Ghana Police Service.
According to the Director of Research and Training at the Police MTTD, Alexander Kwaku Obeng, the technology uses cameras and sensors to capture audiovisual evidence of motorists who violate road traffic regulations.
He explained that the system is designed to modernize traffic law enforcement while reducing direct physical interaction between motorists and police officers.
“The system automatically captures evidence when vehicles flout traffic laws. The information is transmitted to a central system where it can be processed,” Chief Superintendent Obeng said.
Under the new arrangement, motorists will no longer necessarily need to present a physical driver’s license during routine checks. Instead, drivers will be required to provide their driver’s license number, which officers can instantly verify using handheld digital devices.
According to him, the handheld devices—similar to Android smartphones—are connected to the national database of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA).
“When a police officer stops a motorist and requests the license number, the officer can enter it into the device. The system will immediately display the driver’s details, including photographic identification, allowing officers to verify whether the information provided is accurate,” he said.
Chief Superintendent Obeng noted that the technology will help identify drivers who attempt to provide false information. If the license number given does not match the individual being checked, the discrepancy will appear instantly on the officer’s device.
“The interface will show the photograph linked to the license number, enabling the officer to confirm whether the person presenting the number is the legitimate holder. Providing false information to an enforcement officer constitutes an additional offence under the law,” he explained.
He added that police officers are currently undergoing training to operate the devices and manage the digital system effectively.
According to him, the modernization initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen road safety enforcement and improve the efficiency of traffic policing in Ghana.
The system will also include a back-office operational centre that will run on a 24-hour basis with multiple shifts to process data collected from the field.
Chief Superintendent Obeng said the new approach is expected to enhance evidence gathering, support law enforcement operations, and reduce opportunities for corruption within traffic enforcement.
Authorities say the Traffitech-GH system will be rolled out nationwide after ongoing preparations and training of officers are completed.
Source:www.kumasimail.com
